Month: June 2014

These Aren’t Skinny Jeans, I’m Just Fat

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Someone asked me the other day if I was wearing skinny jeans. What do you do with that question if the answer is “no.”

I smiled, shook my head, and replied, “No, these aren’t skinny jeans, I’m just fat.”

Disclaimer 1: (I owe my response to comedian Jim Gaffigan)

Disclaimer 2: (No, that’s not me in the picture above)

The Skinny Jeans Comment, as I’ve come to call it, was one of the catalysts helping me back on the health, fitness, and weight loss wagon. Well, I’m at least running behind the wagon. Ok, I’m walking behind the wagon hoping it will slow down.

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To jump start my health initiative, I decided to reduce my soda (or Coca-Cola) intake. People have asked me what I was trying to avoid by stopping my soda intake.

They ask, “Is it the calories the carbonation, or the caffeine?

My answer: Yes.

So, as of this morning, I am officially off of soda (although today would be a really good day for a Coke).

I’ll post an update in the morning as to whether or not I made it through today without one.

Related Posts:

Lose 45 at 45

I Blew It

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I Blew It!

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A week ago, I shared my plan with the world to wean myself off of Coca-Cola. Some of you agreed to help keep me accountable. Others of you encouraged me online or in person. Here’s my Coke consumption status update:

I BLEW IT!!!!!

My plan looked something like this:

Wednesday: 32 oz

Thursday: 28 oz

Friday: 24 oz

Saturday: 20 oz

Sunday: 16 oz

Monday: 12 oz

Tuesday: 10 oz

Wednesday: 8 oz

Thursday: 0 oz.

My actual consumption looked more like this:

Wednesday: 32 oz

Thursday: 28 oz

Friday: 978 oz

Saturday: 24 oz

Sunday: 20 oz

Monday: 20 oz

Tuesday: 20 oz

Wednesday: 16 oz

Ok, so I went a bit overboard on Friday. (I actually just lost count. I didn’t actually drink 978 oz. This disclaimer is for the extremely literal readers)

I actually meant to cut down on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, except I spent those days in a hospital waiting room because of the surgery of a family member. Unfortunately, the hospital administration had made a deal with Satan to only sell Pepsi products. If I’m weaning myself off of Coke, a Pepsi is just not going to do. A Dr. Pepper might suffice if I’m in extreme pain, but Pepsi, ugh. So, I drove down the street to a convenience store that only sold 20 oz. Coke products.

But, now, as you can see, I’m back on track. I have managed to cut my Coca-Cola consumption in half.

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Here’s my revised plan for the remainder of the week:

Wednesday: 16 oz

Thursday: 12 oz

Friday: 10 oz

Saturday: 8 oz

Sunday: 0 oz

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone.  Please keep the communication flowing.  It’s helping me so much.

 

by Categories: Discipline, Health and Fitness, UncategorizedTags: , , , , , , 3 Comments

My Worst Weakness

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Since I restarted my blog a couple of weeks ago, people, especially those who know me well, have asked me one gut wrenching question:

“If you’re trying to lose weight again, why are you still drinking Coke?”

I understand (and somewhat appreciate) the concern. If I’m going to go to all the trouble to work out on the elliptical machine everyday (or almost everyday) for 45 to 55 minutes, why would I possibly kill much of the results by consuming so many empty calories, not to mention the impact of the carbonation on my body?

Here are my excuses, er, responses for my continued Coke consumption:

  1. I look so much better in photos with a Coke bottle in my hand.
  2. Drinking soda gives the fat around my midsection a sporting chance.
  3. I can’t afford water.
  4. None of your business.

Honestly, I know my next step in losing 45 at 45 is to stop drinking soft drinks altogether. So, over the next several days, I’ll be slowly weaning myself from my favorite beverage using the following amounts:

 

Today: 36 oz.

Wednesday: 32 oz.

Thursday: 28 oz.

Friday: 24 oz.

Saturday: 20 oz.

Sunday: 16 oz.

Monday: 12 oz.

Tuesday: 10 oz.

Wednesday: 8 oz.

Thursday: 0 oz!!!!!!

I invite you all to keep me accountable.

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How I’m Learning Spanish For Free

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Hola, mis amigos!

My third goal for my 45th year is to learn Spanish. After speaking to some of you, I believe it is time to clarify this goal.

I’ve discovered a free app called Duolingo, which assists individuals in learning other languages through a steady, systematic process. Several months ago, I spent about a month working through the Duolingo App and made it up to level four.

What I plan to do this year is start over at level one and work all the way through level 25. I started over yesterday and just this evening progressed to level two. I may do another level over the next couple of days since I’ve already been at this level once before, however, my plan is to simply learn at a slow and steady pace.

If you would like to join me in learning Spanish, check out Duolingo in your smart phone App store or online at www.duolingo.com.

Related Posts:

Hello 45!

Lose 45 at 45

Sit Still! No Talking

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Sit Still! No Talking!

 

 

 

 

 

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It was 1980. My family moved to the country. I thought I was going to love it, but I didn’t. In fact, it was an incredibly hard transition for me. I was in 6th grade, and for the first time in my life, I began to get in trouble on the school bus. Before long, I was assigned a seat and ordered not to speak to anyone.

For months, I rode the bus in silence, avoiding those around me by reading novels from the school and public library. Somehow, during those long bus rides, those stories became my companions. Often, I would continue reading during lunch, study hall and even at home. Before long, I forgot about my punishment and looked forward to my bus rides because it afforded me the opportunity to read.

I want to write a middle grade novel. Hopefully, the stories I include will help some young person out there develop a life long love of reading.

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Lose 45 at 45

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When I was in my 20, my dad described me to others as being busier than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest.  It that was true then, it’s cold hard fact at 45.  Therefore, I knew it was going to be hard to find time to workout.  It turns out there’s plenty of time if you get to the gym at 5:30 AM.

In case you missed it yesterday, I am trying to lose 45 lbs while I’m 45.  I reported to everyone yesterday that I was 220 lbs, which is high considering my height and build.  However, I weighed this morning and realized that I am actually only 217!  So, only 42 lbs to go.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been going to the gym at least 4 times a week, building up my time on the elliptical machine.  I like the elliptical machine because it works out your arms, chest, glutes, and legs at the same time.  Then, if you add an appropriate amount of resistance, you’re not just doing cardio, but building muscle as well.

My first step is to continue exercising on the elliptical for at least 45 minutes for 4 to 5 times a week, then begin adding additional weight training.  This morning, I stopped at just past 48 minutes.  🙂

If you have exercise advice for me, I invite you to comment.

Related Post:  Hello 45!  https://johnjfrady.com/2014/06/09/hello-45/

 

 

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Hello 45!

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Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 45. I celebrated in my usual way: moping and denial, depending on whether or not presents were involved.

However, now that I’m coming to accept my age, I need to move forward with some personal life development. You see, every strengths assessment I’ve ever taken describes me as an achiever. Therefore, it’s logical to say I need to give myself something to achieve this year.

So here are three challenges I’m giving myself.

  1. Lose 45 lbs. (I now weigh 220 lbs)
  2. Write and publish a middle grade novel. (I’ve actually started this, but am still learning)
  3. Learn Spanish (I took a semester of Spanish in high school, but that was in the 1980’s)

Over the next year, I’ll be sharing my depressing lows and ecstatic highs on my blog (johnjfrady.com) as I strive to develop my subgoals and action plans for these personal challenges. I invite you to join me on my journey.

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